Cosmeticorexia: a worrying obsession with flawless skin or just a new term for an old problem?

This is a list of key vocabulary and expressions from the article in order of how useful they are. The student must choose 6 items from the list to study in the lesson.

• It’s worth it
  Definition: Something is valuable enough to justify the time, effort, or cost.
  Example: It’s worth it to wake up early if you get to see the sunrise.

• To refuse (to do something)
  Definition: To say no or decline an offer, request, or instruction.
  Example: She refused to answer the question.

• To rush
  Definition: To move or act very quickly, often without enough care or time.
  Example: I had to rush to catch the train.

• To warn (someone)
  Definition: To tell someone about danger or a possible problem.
  Example: They warned us about the heavy traffic.

• Harmful
  Definition: Causing damage or negative effects.
  Example: Smoking is harmful to your health.

• Despite
  Definition: Used to show contrast between two ideas; similar to “even though.”
  Example: Despite the rain, we went for a walk.

• Regardless (of something)
  Definition: Without being affected or influenced by something.
  Example: We’ll go ahead regardless of the weather.

• Flawless
  Definition: Perfect; without any mistakes, faults, or defects.
  Example: Her performance was flawless.

• Wrinkles
  Definition: Small lines or folds in skin or fabric.
  Example: His shirt was full of wrinkles after the flight.

• A downside (of something)
  Definition: A negative aspect or disadvantage of something.
  Example: The downside of remote work is isolation.

• Had noticed
  Grammar explanation (Past Perfect: HAD + past participle):
  Used to show that one action happened before another action in the past.
  Example: I had noticed the mistake before the teacher pointed it out.

• High-end
  Definition: Expensive and of very high quality.
  Example: She bought a high-end smartphone.

• To crack down on (someone/something)
  Definition: To take strict action to stop illegal or unwanted behaviour.
  Example: The government cracked down on tax evasion.

• To team up with (someone)
  Definition: To work together or cooperate with someone.
  Example: They teamed up with a local charity.

• To be overrun with (something)
  Definition: To be completely filled or overwhelmed by something unwanted or excessive.
  Example: The garden was overrun with weeds.

• I do think
  Grammar explanation (Emphatic “do”):
  “Do” is used to add emphasis to a positive statement, often to strengthen or contrast an opinion.
  Example: I do think this is the right decision.

• To some extent
  Definition: Partially; not completely.
  Example: To some extent, I agree with your opinion.

• A cause for concern
  Definition: Something that causes worry or may indicate a problem.
  Example: Rising temperatures are a cause for concern.

• Allegedly
  Definition: Said to be true but not yet proven or officially confirmed.
  Example: He was allegedly involved in the incident.

• Pivotal
  Definition: Extremely important or central to a situation or outcome.
  Example: She played a pivotal role in the project’s success.

• To look something up
  Definition: To search for information.
  Example: I looked up the word in a dictionary.

• An uptick in something
  Definition: A small increase or rise in something.
  Example: There has been an uptick in sales this month.

• To obliterate (something/someone)
  Definition: To destroy completely so that nothing remains.
  Example: The explosion obliterated the building.

• Inadvertently
  Definition: Done by accident or without intention.
  Example: I inadvertently deleted the file.

• Unattainable
  Definition: Not possible to achieve or reach.
  Example: Perfection is often unattainable.

15 Conversation-provoking questions related to the article.

1.       What is ‘cosmeticorexia’?

2.       What were some of the things that Damiani and Collinson said?

3.       What did Fardouly say?

4.       What was said about the ‘influence of influencers’?

5.       Do you lie awake at night worrying about wrinkles?

6.       Do you think cosmeticorexia is a genuinely new thing, or has it always existed?

7.       Is makeup for young girls just harmless fun?

8.       Do you remember when you first started caring about how you looked?

9.       Did you ever rashly change your appearance when you were younger e.g. dye your hair pink?

10.     Is your appearance important at work?

11.     Do you and your partner ever criticize each other about how you dress/ present yourself?

12.     Did everyone in your school respect the school uniform rules?

13.     Do you think a pupil’s appearance at school can affect their popularity?

14.     Are you sceptical about some skincare advice?

15.     Do you have a skincare routine?